A new book celebrating the life of acclaimed Southport caddy Alfie Fyles has been released.

The book, titled ‘Fore Open Minded Birkdale Boys’, is written by John Murray and Mags Eatock and tells the story of Alfie and three more caddies who lived nearby.

According to John, a former captain at the Park Golf Club and close friend of the caddy, when Alfie was on his death bed he revealed his two greats regrets - not being able to make his marriage to Pat work and never writing his memoirs.

The brother and sister team have now spent three years trying to put that second regret right and have released the book in time for the return of The Open to Royal Birkdale later this month.

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Watson proceeded to take out a six iron, only to be told by Alfie to use a seven iron instead.

Despite insisting he couldn’t reach with the seven, Watson eventually listened to his trusted caddy, used the seven and landed two feet from the hole in one of the most memorable moments in Open history.

Alfie caddied for all five of Watson’s Open victories, though his career began well before that most famous moment. As explained in the book, which promises laughter and tears in equal measure, Alfie’s father worked at a cloakroom at the Royal Birkdale and all the boys were expected to help out at the club.

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Alfie first picked up a set of clubs aged 10 and was hooked and dreamed of becoming a professional caddy and of “winning” an Open.

Between Alfie and the other three caddies covered in the book - his brother Albert and neighbours Ted Halsall and Bobby (Jackie) Lee - the group worked alongside some of the most famous names in the game, including Gary Player, Tom Watson, Gay Brewer, Tom Weiskopf, Greg Norman, Johnnie Miller, Tom Kite, Billy Casper and many more.

Between them they won an incredible 10 British Opens and numerous Walker Cups, Penfold Tournaments and PGA Match Plays.

‘Fore’ Open Minded Birkdale Boys is now available from Waterstones and Amazon.